Sarawut Benjakul, secretary-general of the Office of the Judiciary, said in Bangkok on Tuesday that the chief justice of Region IV had investigated evidence showing the defendants chatting with a man and taking photos during a court session.

The investigation was held after photos surfaced of Preeyanuch Nonwangchai, Kawita Rachada and Jidarat Promkhun, who are all charged in connection with the murder and dismemberment of Warisara Klinjui in May last year, smiling at a camera while inside court premises.

Jidarat, who was freed on bail, apparently used her mobile phone to take photos of the other two defendants.

The screenshots that went viral displayed Jidarat’s profile photo but the phone seems to have been used by Preeyanuch to chat with a man.

No communication devices are allowed in courtrooms.

Two of the suspects are accused of murdering Warisara, dismembering her body and burying it in a forest, while Jidarat has been charged with receiving stolen goods.

The gruesome murder and suspects’ subsequent escape to Myanmar grabbed media headlines for months and when the women were taken into police custody, photos were leaked showing policemen taking selfies with them.

Jidarat was granted bail but was at court on March 13 as the prosecution’s witnesses started giving evidence.

Sarawut said judicial officials of Region IV had reported the photos had been taken during a court session on the afternoon of March 13.

Officials checked video footage from security cameras and invited people involved in the incident to give information.

The footage showed the three defendants using a mobile phone.

Their lawyer has already been warned about the ban on communication devices in court.

Sarawut said Khon Kaen Court officials had filed an allegation of contempt of court against the three defendants.

Jidarat has been ordered to testify next month while the other two are already in detention and can be taken to court from Khon Kaen Prison at any time.